Date:19/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/04/19/stories/2008041951411003.htm

Back `Handicraft exports need push'

Kolkata, April 18

Foreign trade policy should focus on promoting export of Indian handicrafts as a driver of employment, Mr Sanjeev Nandwani, Joint Director of Foreign Trade, said here on Friday. Speaking at a seminar organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce, Mr Nandwani said export should be looked at as a booster of employment and not merely a means of generating dollars. Export growth of handicraft articles in places like the north-east will result in larger employment generation. The share of handicrafts in Indian export varies from 2 to 4 per cent currently, Mr Nandwani said, while the engineering sector contributes as high as 32-34 per cent. - Our Bureau